At least two people have died and more than 20 are injured after an SUV ploughed into a crowd in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday evening. 

The driver, a 33-year-old man with German citizenship, has been arrested.  

The incident occurred at around 5pm on Grimmaische Street, a major pedestrian zone in the city’s old town lined with shops and historic buildings that connects several landmarks with Leipzig’s market square. 

Images from the scene show a number of emergency service vehicles and personnel in the street as crowds of onlookers gather to watch on after the incident.

A silver Volkswagen SUV with ‌a ⁠person on top of the vehicle was seen speeding through a pedestrian ​zone, ​local ⁠broadcaster Radio Leipzig reported. 

The vehicle appeared to have a badly damaged windshield and bonnet.

The broadcaster cited witnesses as saying there were several bodies covered with sheets as well as a stabbing.  

Police arrested the driver and have said there is no further danger. The suspect is understood to have stopped the car on his own accord.

Rescue workers stand next to a damaged car that has crashed into several people in Leipzig, Germany, on Monday, May 4, 2026

Several people have been injured after a car was believed to have rammed into a crowd of people in the German city of Leipzig

A helicopter of the DRF, German emergency medical services flies overhead at the scene where a Volkswagen SUV ploughed into people on a street leaving at least two dead and several injured

A policeman stands next to a body bag after a car rammed into a crowd of peopl

The prime minister of the state of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, said the suspect had possible mental health issues.

The incident ‘shakes me to the core’, he said. ‘We will do everything in our power to investigate it quickly and fully. The rule of law will act with all due rigour.’ 

While officials have not drawn firm conclusions on the suspect’s motive, several described the incident as an ‘Amokfahrt’ – a German term suggesting a rampage driven by some kind of madness.

This kind of act was ‘often associated with psychological instability,’ said Armin Schuster, the interior minister in the Saxony state government. 

But he added it would be up to police and prosecutors to determine if that was the case here.

According to Leipzig’s mayor, Burkhard Jung, there were two fatalities. He described the incident as a ‘terrible tragedy’. 

He added: ‘We are mourning two deaths, currently three seriously injured people, and many others who were injured. 

‘It’s impossible to find the right words for this horrific attack.’

The city’s fire service chief, Axel Schuh, also confirmed a death toll of two. He said that about 20 additional people were ‘affected’, without offering details.

In a video message posted by local media outlet Leipziger Volkszeitung, Mr Jung said: ‘We don’t know the motivation. We don’t know anything about the culprit.’

He also said: ‘There is no longer any danger – it is under control. The police have caught the suspected perpetrator.’ 

There have been conflicting reports in Germany with the DPA saying they were informed there had been no fatalities. 

However a city press release called the incident a ‘mass casualty event’. 

Saxony Police said in a social media update: ‘Currently, a police operation is taking place in the center of #Leipzig. 

This image shows the busy area of Leipzig city centre where two people were mowed down and at least 20 were injured on Monday evening

The incident occurred on Grimmaische Straße in the city center. The area between Augustusplatz and Ritterstraße has been cordoned off

Emergency services are currently at the scene and the situation is still developing 

‘Keep the emergency routes clear and follow the instructions of the emergency services on site. 

‘A car struck several people in Grimmaische Straße and fled. The driver has been apprehended, and there is currently no further danger emanating from him. We will continue to provide updates’. 

Police spokesperson Susanne Lübcke said the driver stopped the car himself and was in the vehicle at the time he was detained. 

On X, one apparent witness said: ‘Just now, a car sped through the city center Leipzig. 

‘Everyone jumped out of the way and seems to be just shocked. On-site resuscitation’.

Emergency services are currently at the scene and the situation is still developing. 

Police deployed in large numbers along with firefighters, emergency medical personnel and two helicopters.

The police could not provide details on injuries but said they were conducting an operation in the area and would be providing further updates. 

Images from the scene show a number of emergency service vehicles and personnel in the street as crowds of onlookers gather to watch on

Footage captured what appears to be the vehicle following the smash 

Leipzig is located southwest of Berlin and has more than 630,000 inhabitants, making it one of the biggest cities in eastern Germany. 

Like other European countries, Germany has witnessed a spate of car-ramming and stabbing incidents in recent years, some of which involved religious or political motivations and some carried out by people with mental health issues. 

Last year, two people were killed in the western city of Mannheim, when a 40-year-old man drove a car into a group of pedestrians, only weeks after a similar attack on a trade union demonstration in Munich, killing two and injuring more than 40, many children among them. 

In December 2024, several people were killed in a car-ramming attack on a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg. 

That incident came months after a stabbing attack at a festival in the western city of Solingen.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.